AUSTIN — Gov. Rick Perry ordered on Tuesday a special election for the unexpired term of U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay to coincide with the general election Nov. 7, when only two months will remain on DeLay's term.

Candidates wishing to run in the special election must file with the Texas Secretary of State by 5 p.m. Friday.

Shortly after DeLay announced in April that he was resigning from Congress, Perry said he would not schedule a special election to fill the vacancy before the general election. Tuesday's order officially set the date.

The winner of the special election will represent the 22nd Congressional District from the day the election results are certified until a new Congress begins in January.

At that point, the winner of the general election will become the representative of the suburban Houston district.

If the same person wins the special election and the general election, that person will have a leg up in seniority over other incoming members of Congress.

Lampson and Sekula-Gibbs both said they'll run in the special election, even though the prize is less than two months in the House.

"This district has been without a congressman for far too long," said Mike Malaise, Lampson's campaign manager. "This should have happened back in May. It's not just a matter of sitting up in Washington and taking votes, it is a full-service operation."

For Sekula-Gibbs, it means her name will at least appear on the ballot on Election Day. As a certified write-in candidate in the general election she will have her name posted in the booth only for reference, but she'll be on the ballot for the separate special election.

"Being on the ballot will help voters to see my name and know that they can vote for the Republican," Sekula-Gibbs said. "It's a great opportunity."

Perry also set Nov. 7 special elections to fill the unexpired terms of state Rep. Vilma Luna, D-Corpus Christi, and Sen. Frank Madla, D-San Antonio.